Why Do People Use the Internet?

Marcela Palma/CC-BY-2.0

According to a study from Carnegie Mellon University, people use the Internet primarily for enjoyment and to get information about their hobbies. The Internet is also used as a marketing tool by private and public organizations.

Although the Internet was created to facilitate communication within the military, it quickly became a tool for mass communication following the release of the personal computer. Since its creation, the Internet has evolved from its esoteric origins into a standard form of communication. According to Miniwatts Marketing Group, more than two billion people, or 34.3 percent of the world’s population, are connected to the Internet at any given time.

People use the Internet to get quick access to information and communicate with others through social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype. The Internet also serves as a source of entertainment for people due to the relative ease at which one can download music and stream videos online. Being connected to the Internet also gives people the ability to share files and learn about local events. Although the content on the Internet is accessible by anyone with a connection, some countries place restrictions on Web searches in order to limit the amount of information that can be accessed by citizens.